Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame's star running back, is projected to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is expected to be the first running back selected and an instant starter for his new team.
Key points
Jeremiyah Love is projected as the top running back in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He finished his Notre Dame career as the seventh all-time leading rusher.
Love had 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in his final season.
He is expected to be an instant starter for his new team.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is projected to be the top at the position in this class. While there has been plenty of discourse about when to select a running back based on return, Love consistently has been mocked in the top-10, rarely falling deep into the middle of the draft.
He finished his career with the Fighting Irish as the program's seventh all-time leading rusher. Love finished his final season in South Bend with 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. His 36 career touchdowns are the third-most for a Notre Dame running back in history.
Love is in a tier by himself when it comes to the 2026 NFL Draft. He is not only expected to be the first running back selected in the draft, but is largely projected to be the only running back taken in the first round. Love projects to be an instant starter, and all that remains is to learn which team ends up selecting him. Not all NFL teams are created equally, and certain spots would be better for him than others.
Here is more on the best landing spots for Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kansas City went into the 2026 offseason needing to improve at the running back position. The Chiefs made a splash move in free agency, bringing in former running back on a three-year, $43.05 million deal. The Chiefs could look to emulate the Seahawks' two-headed RB approach and draft Love with the ninth overall pick.
Q&A
What teams are potential landing spots for Jeremiyah Love in the NFL Draft?
The Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans are among the potential landing spots for Jeremiyah Love.
What were Jeremiyah Love's career stats at Notre Dame?
Jeremiyah Love finished his Notre Dame career with 1,372 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 36 career touchdowns, ranking him seventh all-time in rushing yards for the program.
Why is Jeremiyah Love projected to be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Love is projected to be the first running back selected in the draft due to his exceptional performance and ranking among the top players at his position.
How does Jeremiyah Love compare to other running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Jeremiyah Love is considered to be in a tier by himself, with expectations that he will be the only running back taken in the first round.
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Kansas City had been teetering on a dynasty and had a down year that presented the Chiefs with the rare chance to have a high draft pick. Kansas City's biggest draft needs are on the defensive side of the ball and at wide receiver, but this selection, if Love were to fall, would be taking advantage of selecting the best player available.
Tennessee was shopping veteran running back Tony Pollard at the trade deadline, and there were thoughts that the 28-year-old could even be moved in the offseason. The Titans had been banking on Tyjae Spears to be the running back in waiting behind the veteran, but he hasn't been able to play consistently when given the opportunities.
Tennessee has the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Titans could opt to bring in a defender to help new head coach Robert Saleh, or could love to give second-year QB Cam Ward some help in the offense and draft the weapon that is Love, who has shown he can shoulder a high workload in an offense if needed.
Washington currently holds the No. 7 pick and has been the most common landing spot for Love in mock drafts. While he would certainly be the most talented player in the RB room, the Commanders were busy at the position during free agency. Washington brought in former Tampa Bay BuccaneerRachaad White and former Cleveland Brown Jerome Ford. Along with former seventh-round pick Jacory "Bill" Croskey-Merritt, Love would join an all of a sudden crowded room.
Love would likely be able to win the starting job, and the rest of training camp would be used to determine who would back him up. Head coach Dan Quinn could deploy a committee approach, but with that draft capital on Love, it is assumed the running back would see ample playing time, even as a rookie.
New York used a fourth-round pick in 2025 on RB Cam Skattebo. He spent his rookie year mixing in highlight reel plays with injuries. Skattebo suffered a concussion and his 2025 campaign was cut short by a dislocated ankle, fractured fibula and tibia and a ruptured deltoid ligament. He is expected to be back at the start of the 2026 season, but drafting Love would give the Giants their first heavy workload running back option since Saquon Barkley left.
This move could also benefit Skattebo, who would take fewer hits but would still see playing time, and the Giants' coaching staff would certainly find ways to work him in and use him.
Dallas is in a similar boat to Kansas City in that they signed a running back in free agency, but that doesn't automatically take them out of the running for a new back, pun intended. The Cowboys have been rumored to want to trade up using their two first-round picks, and it could be to select Love before other teams can. Dallas signed veteran running back Javonte Williams to a three-year, $24 million deal.
This is not typically seen as backup running back money, but if the Cowboys like where their offense is with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, they could use this pick on Love and try to put forth the best offense they could with the focus of just outscoring their opponents, no matter how many points they give up.
Plus, if the Cowboys view him as a top talent, there's something to be said about keeping him from the Giants or the Commanders.
Minnesota isn't scheduled to be on the clock until the 18th pick. If Love falls all the way to the Vikings, it would be a no-brainer selection for the franchise to add another offensive weapon. Minnesota's current running back room consists of 31-year-old Aaron Jones Sr., Jordan Mason and Zavier Scott. The Vikings could not only use the influx of youth, but also another star player to help their new-look offense that is expected to be led by quarterback Kyler Murray.
Even if Minnesota has to put together a trade to move up to get Love, it should pay dividends and help them make up ground in the super competitive NFC North.
Honorable Mentions
Similar to Minnesota, it would likely require a trade up, but other teams that would greatly benefit from drafting Love include the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks.
